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37
Prey Before Predator
Julia stood for a while, her gaze alternating between James and the card, and eventually took the card from him. He intentionally brushed her hand with his fingers when she took the card from him, making Julia step backwards.
"Thank you," Julia said and was about to leave with her package in hand when James stopped her.
"Hey, don't run off, just spare me 10 minutes of your time. I want to talk to you," James said, and Julia remained frozen where she had stopped with her back facing James as she carried her sandwich in a paper bag and her coffee in a cup holder.
"I just want to apologize for the last time incident. Please," James pleaded, and Julia turned to face him. "We can talk here," he suggested, pointing to a round table with two chairs inside the cafeteria.
Julia nodded and walked towards the table with James following her. James pulled the chair for Julia to sit on and quickly pulled a seat for himself, sitting across her from the table.
In Julia's mind, she understood that James was her husband's brother and hence it would be disrespectful to walk out on him no matter what. What was so, Jason was not around to protect her if worse came to worst. It would be best if she didn't do anything that would stir up trouble for her or provoke James's wrath. It's just a chat in an open space. She will be fine. She thought as she sat waiting to hear what James had to say to her.
James was just staring at Julia, admiring her face as he sat opposite her. He doesn't understand his desire for her as she does not fall into the category of women he would usually pick, but he can't deny the fact that something about her drives him crazy. He just wanted her in his bed, probably keep warming his bed till he got tired of her. He could still recall the feel of her chest in his hand. He would like to feel that again and even go beyond. Julia sat on the seat feeling uncomfortable as James's stare became more seductive.
Julia was used to Jason staring at her, but his stare was of admiration. The way James was staring at her right now made her feel like prey before a predator. It felt like he would pounce on her any minute if not for where they were and the people around.
"You wanted to speak with me," Julia said, bringing James's attention back to why he called her after what seemed like endless silence and stare.
"Yeah, I just wanted to say, I was sorry about the other time. It was wrong of me to do that. I just want to make things right. You are a part of the family, and you deserve to be respected," James said, and Julia nodded.
"I would very much like us to be friends. To be able to chat with you as I do with my sister, Mirenda. What do you say?" James asked, looking at Julia.
"I...I...." Julia began, but didn't know what to say.
Yes, it would be great if they could be friends, and she didn't have to feel scared thinking about what James would do to her. If she could be free and still be happy when James was around, but his lips were saying one thing.
g and his eyes another. The question is, can she trust him?
"Please give me a chance to make things right between us. My conscience is killing me and I know you are equally not comfortable. Let's do away with this burden. What do you say?" James asked. "Friends?" he said, offering her his hand.
Julia looked at James's hand on the table and back to his face and his eyes, which still had that seductive stare, and accepted the handshake, so she could leave the place immediately.
James felt Julia's tension and her sweaty palm was evidence of the fear she was trying so hard to hide. He smiled inwardly and put on an innocent look as he held her hand in his.
"Thank you," James said.
"Thank you, but my break time is over and I must return. I appreciate you reaching out," Julia said and got up, freeing her hand from James.
"Sure, we can continue this tomorrow. Here," James suggested, and Julia nodded before leaving the cafeteria.
James smiled, seeing Julia had respect for him. He had thought she would walk out on him, completely ignoring him. This is good. The apology was just an excuse. He left for his office and stayed till closing time. He quickly went to his car and moved it out of the garage, waiting to see how Julia would be going home now that Jason was not around. Due to his ulterior motive, he had failed to notice Jason's car was still parked in the garage. He had assumed Julia would hail a taxi, so he was just on stand-by to offer her a ride, and he could take her where he pleased and do whatever he wanted with her. He was, however, disappointed when he saw Jason's car exit the garage with Julia sitting in the back seat of the car as the back window was rolled down.
James was disappointed, but he started his engine and followed them out of the compound, driving in the same direction towards home. Upon reaching the apartment, Julia got out of the car before the guard could open the door for her and made her way towards the elevator. James also followed and waited for the elevator to return as Julia had already entered and was on her way up. He stood there reading the numbers on the elevator till it stopped at number 7 and started a countdown, indicating the elevator was coming back down.
"The 7th floor," James thought. "She moved to the 7th floor," he thought and smiled.
James entered the elevator and went to the 6th floor, freshened up, and had dinner with Mrs Haward and Mirenda. He informed them about Jason's trip but said nothing about Julia's whereabouts as she was equally not at the table. Grandpa asked about Julia and James told him that he didn't know where she went after work.
After dinner, James stepped out of the apartment as, it was his usual routine, but he didn't go out of town as everyone thought. He went up to the 7th floor. He knocked on the door and Julia opened it thinking it was Veronica who had left something and was coming back for it, but was surprised to see James standing at the front door. He entered the room before she could do anything.
"Hello Julia," James said.